Jesse Aubrey Hardison Sr. age 82 of Dunn, died Tuesday (9/22/2015) at Wake Med in Raleigh He was born in Harnett County, son of the late Jesse Ander Hardison and Ettie B. Lee Hardison. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Mary B. Hinton and Ella Mae Norris. He was a graduate of Dunn High School Class of 1952 and Eckels College of Mortuary Science at Temple University in Pennsylvania. He was a former funeral director and embalmer with Brown-Wynne Funeral Homes of Raleigh, was the founder of Erwin Funeral Home and was a funeral director with Smith Funeral Homes in Broadway and Moncure until his retirement. He also was the former Southern Representative of Tri-State Industries, Bronx, NY. He was a 50 year Master Mason and member of Neill S. Stewart Lodge in Erwin, NC; was the former President of the Erwin Area Chamber of Commerce in 1976-1977 and the Founder and President of the Erwin Rotary Club and was named Rotarian of the Year in 1971-72. He had served as a Deacon and Elder and was an Elder Emeritus at the time of his death at the Hood Memorial Christian Church in Dunn. A celebration of life service will be conducted at 11:00am Friday at the Hood Memorial Christian Church in Dunn with Rev. Torie Osgood and Rev. Garland Smith officiating. A family inurnment will follow in the Williford Cemetery. Surviving are his wife Mary Williford Hardison of the home; Daughter Cynthia Hardison-Wood and husband Michael Wood of Dunn, NC; Son Jesse Aubrey "Jay" Hardison Jr. and wife Rene' of Dunn, NC; Grandchildren Aubron Wood, Anderson Wood, Jordan Hardison, Dylan Hardison and Kimberly Wood and three great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 10-11am Friday morning, one hour prior to the service at the Hood Memorial Christian Church. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations are made to the Hood Memorial Christian Church, 300 East Cumberland Street, Dunn, NC 28334. Online condolences can be made at www.smithfuneralhomebroadway.com Arrangements are by the Smith Funeral Home of Broadway.